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During my recent visit to the Philippines, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the northern part of Luzon and spend some time in Ballesteros.

Ballesteros is a vibrant, provincial city set on the picturesque north coast of Luzon facing the South China Sea. Backed by hundreds of hectares of lush rice fields, bounded by magnificent stands of coconut palms that shelter a multitude of other edible crops, Ballesteros is a major contributor to the country’s food supply.

The main street of ballesteros is a hive of activity, flanked by shops and business houses of all descriptions with a never ending stream of trikes transporting passengers in an orderly fashion. On my arrival, I was warmly greeted by a group of friendly locals who directed me to my quarters at Centro West, a very neat and well maintained Barangay at the fringe of the main business district.

After I had settled in, I spent many days exploring the city and getting to know many of the locals whom, I found to be friendly and courteous. I was directed to the market place, which is only a short walk from the central business district, and I found that just about everybody in town visits there every day. The market place emits a feverish atmosphere as traders aggressively offer their wares, groceries and produce for sale, to a mass of people who are eager to obtain their daily needs, at a bargain price.

I found many sporting facilities being used on a daily basis, with an auditorium in every Barangay to cater for the many avid basket ball players that live in the district. The civic center in Centro Ballesteros has a huge auditorium that is used for sporting events, festivals and concerts. The area is accessed via a well maintained park containing a fountain, grotto and monument all surrounded by carefully manicured shrubs and plants.

There are many schools and churches in Ballesteros, as well as a host of essential services. The high school is located on a headland that faces the sea and overlooks a magnificent blue sandy beach that extends in either direction for as far as the eye can see. I spent many enjoyable hours relaxing on this expanse of beach that has not yet been spoiled by human intervention.

I was sad to leave Ballesteros as I had become fond of the people and the delightful atmosphere that exists there, however I can look forward to returning in the not too distant future, to this gemstone of the north.

The Kingdom of Morocco is situated on the north western coast of Africa, it’s rather lengthy coastline extends from the Mediterranean Sea through The Strait of Gibraltar and along the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Sahara region, which Morocco also administers. Morocco occupies an area of 446,300 sq km, supports a population of 33,241,259 people and shares it’s eastern border with Algeria.

Morocco’s Capital City, Rabat, lies on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. The city houses the King of Morocco together with a population of 1.2 million people, although by comparison, it is not an economically significant city, Rabat does maintain some important construction, food processing and textile industries.

The largest city in Morocco, which also lies on the Atlantic coast, is Casablanca, the city supports a population of over 3 million people and is one of the major commercial centres in North Africa. Casablanca is Morocco’s main industrial centre housing the head offices of all major banks and leading companies. Casablanca is also the point of Morocco’s largest port and features a jetty that is over 3 km long which accommodates large commercial fish canning operations.

Tangier, described as the gateway to Morocco, is a major city of Morocco, situated on the north western tip of Africa at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The city has a population of about 700,000 people. Tangier Bay offers magnificent views across the Strait of Gibraltar to the southern coast of Spain.

Tangier has a history of being a dangerous, mysterious and intriguing city and all visitors are warned to keep their valuables under lock and key, travel in groups and avoid deserted or sparsely populated streets.

Cape Sparte is a short drive from Tangier and the mountain road passes some magnificent mansions on the way to the coast where lie many splendid beaches. There is a modern rail link from Tangier to Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech in the south and FÃ¨s and Oujda in the east. The Rabat to Tangier expressway connects Tangier to FÃ¨s via Rabat and Settat via Casablanca. The Ibn Batouta, or Tangier International Airport is about 15 km from the city center.

The Ouzoud falls are a spectacular multi step series of waterfalls with a drop of 330 feet. They are situated on the Ouzoud River at the village of Tanaghmeilt in the Grand Atlas Mountains about 150 km north east of the city of Marrakech. The area is a major tourist attraction with a resort overlooking the top of the falls.

The resort, Riad Cascades d’Ouzoud, is an excellent place to stay and is set in a most scenic area with views of the mountains, the lush, green valleys, flour mills along the river, orchards and olive groves. Of course, ouzoud means olive, in Berber. There are also a number of activities such as trekking, rafting and mountain biking that are provided for travellers, to make their visit a memorable one.

Travellers, touring Morocco are reminded to protect their valuables, be wary of official guides and beggars at all times and to abide by the local Muslim dress codes.

Generally speaking, a vacation in the Caribbean is expensive, however, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

If you want to have fun in the sun, swim, fish, dive, sail in crystal clear waters, explore underwater coral reefs or relax on pristine, white sandy beaches, then the Caribbean is your Vacation Destination.

There area countless number of islands within the boundaries of the Caribbean, nearly all of which, are worthy of inspection by the avid tourist. Accommodation charges vary from the affordable to the most expensive.

One of my favorite Vacation Destinations has to be Anguilla Island, situated well within the tropics, it is the most northerly of the Lesser Antilles group of Islands and is due east of the virgin Islands. Anguilla island is a popular Caribbean travel destination for tourists who like to bask in the sun and experience the compelling charm, romance, and excitement that the island has to offer.

With a population of around 12,000 people, Anguilla Island is a British possession, 16 miles long, and 3 miles across at the widest point. There are 33 white sandy beaches leading into crystal clear waters and world-class accommodation venues with contemporary international styling, available on Anguilla.

International air services from Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and Antigua makes Anguilla Island easily accessible. Entry requirements depend on your country of origin but a valid passport is generally preferred. The spoken language is English and the currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.

The Rendezvous Bay Hotel & Villas travel resort offers 46 rooms, is set on 50 acres of landscaped gardens that are fringed with palm trees and fronts onto nearly two miles of sandy beaches. The resort has been recently renovated, presenting tiled floors with rattan furnishings, and is divided into a dozen low-rise buildings.

Accommodation rates at the Rendezvous Bay Hotel start at $130 per person while a three bedroom villa starts at $255.

Anguilla Island is an ideal Caribbean Vacation Destination, put it on your list of affordable destinations.

CuraÃ§ao is the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles group and lies in the Caribbean Sea just 35 miles off the north coast of Venezuela, and some 200 miles north west of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

The island is 38 miles long, has a land area of 171 square miles and a population of about 170,000 people. Willemstad is the capital city of CuraÃ§ao and has a population of around 60,000 people who lead an active social life, with constant music festivals, dancing at the discos, and visits to the hotel casinos.

CuraÃ§ao lies well below the hurricane belt and is not prone to natures savage storms. The climate is sunny and dry with an average rainfall of 22 inches. The rainy season being November and December. The average year-round temperature is only 82 degrees Fahrenheit as trade winds keep the island cool all year round.

The highest point on the island is Mount Christoffel at 1,230 feet. This lies at the north western end of the island and is contained within the Christoffel National Park which can be explored by car, bike, or horse.

There are over 38 Glorious Beaches in CuraÃ§ao, the most popular of which are situated on the sheltered south western coast, where the crystal clear turquoise waters are calm and the weather is picture perfect, all year round.

Whether you are a sun-loving tourist or just one looking for rest and relaxation, you can choose between secluded nooks, that are surrounded by huge cliff faces, or beautiful sandy Beaches, that could be either secluded or a hive of activity.

CuraÃ§ao is renowned for its coral reefs which make it a perfect place for scuba diving. The national Underwater Park is a 12.5 mile stretch of protected coral reefs with many attractions for snorkelers and scuba Divers.

Klein CuraÃ§ao, or Little CuraÃ§ao, is a small uninhabited island off the eastern coast that is well worth exploring. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo in the offshore waters provide excellent Deep Sea Fishing opportunities.

There is a choice of luxury hotels as well as a variety of other accommodation that will suit all budgets. Many airlines operate in and out of CuraÃ§ao, you choice will mainly depend on your departure point.

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean with a total area of 42,800 Sq. miles and lies just 95 miles south of Key West, Florida. The country is comprised of mainland Cuba and a numerous group of smaller islands, the largest of those being the Isle of Youth.

There are over 11 million inhabitants of this Caribbean paradise that boasts the best trained doctors, and the best medical services in the world.

From a tourist’s point of view, Cuba Is An Ideal Vacation Destination.

The mainland, situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, extends for 750 miles and is a scenic mixture of mountain ranges, fertile plains and cities enriched by fine examples of colonial architecture. There are numerous bays and over 250 sun drenched beaches with white, powder fine sand and crystal clear azure water, where the tourist can relax and explore the tropical splendor, of this Caribbean jewel, called Cuba.

There are fourteen provinces on mainland Cuba which were established, by the Spanish military, to subdivide the most troublesome areas of the island during the Cuban Wars of Independence.

The main ports are located in the provinces of Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas and Santiago de Cuba. The Isle of Youth is also a province, or special municipality.

Havana Jose Marti International Airport is your arrival and departure point, situated in the Cuban capital of Havana and houses all of the associated amenities: bars, restaurants and shops, including duty-free, and travel agencies. You can hire a taxi or rent a car for the eleven mile journey to the city.

The major tourist resorts are at Varadero and Cayo Largo where there are several 5 star all inclusive resorts located. Should you be on a budget, then there are plenty of smaller beach resorts, where you will find accommodation that will suit your budget and allow you to relax and enjoy yourself.

The capital city, Havana has many points of interest for the tourist, from Spanish colonial architecture to the museums that contain artifacts that are steeped in history. Because most of the city has been left untouched by modern technology, doesn’t mean to say that it is dull and boring, on the contrary, there is much to see and lots to do in Havana.

Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba can be found on the eastern end of the island, some 540 miles from Havana. It is magnificently set on the shores of a picturesque bay, at the foot of the Sierra Maestra Mountains which overlook rolling plains that contain crops of tobacco and cane. Haitian planters settled here in the 19th century and on 1 January 1959, the Cuban President, Fidel Castro proclaimed victory of the Cuban Revolution from a balcony on Santiago de Cuba’s town hall.

My First visit to Hawaii left me breathless; I never imagined that one place on Earth could be so beautiful, so diverse and so unforgettable. The scenery, the activities and the friendly people turned my visit to Hawaii into a wondrous escape from reality.

Your vacation package that allows you to Experience Hawaii And sample Paradise will be the most memorable adventure that you have ever undertaken and your desire to return will be prominently marked in your diary.

Hawaii is comprised of a group of nineteen islands situated, almost entirely in a tropical region of the Pacific ocean, 2,300 miles off the south western coast of the USA.

There are eight main islands of the group which house the majority of the population and provide tourist facilities for visitors and vacationers from all parts of the Globe. An Hawaiian Experience is a Sample of Paradise that is very popular with Americans from the mainland because there is no need for passports, no confusion over exchange rates and no worries about import duties on any purchases that one makes.

Hawaii’s main island, or the Big Island, has everything that one could ask for in terms of scenery, activities or rest and recuperation. The Big Island boasts, magnificent beaches, mighty volcanoes, lofty snow clad Mauna Kea, the Kau Desert, gorgeous waterfalls, the Puna Fern Forest, and the colorful orchids of Hilo.

There are cane farms, coffee plantations, cattle ranches and macadamia nut farms to explore. The Volcanoes National Park has on display, one of the world’s largest rings of dormant and active volcanoes. You will have the opportunity to see spectacular lava flows and the destructive forces of nature.

Hawaii has everything from the most luxurious five-star resorts to relatively cheap hotels that offer the basics of a good, clean, air conditioned room with an onsite restaurant and a host of personal touches.

See your preferred travel agent now and explore the wonders that are available to you in Hawaii.

Generally, people consider that cruises are for singles who wish to meet other, like minded persons and get together for an exciting, romantic adventure.

Well, this could well be the case, but cruise packages are not only designed for young singles. There are cruises that are fashioned to suit people from all walks of life and most definitely, There’s A Cruise Package For You.

If you like to travel and you are looking for a unique vacation experience then a Cruise Package will offer you more options and greater flexibility than most other kinds of vacation Packages.

There are Cruise Packages that are designed to cater for couples, singles, clubs or families, and each of these packaged cruises take into account the entertainment requisites of each particular group. Guests will receive special service and added attention that is why a cruise vacation is so appealing. Most other types of vacation packages just cannot provide this special kind of service.

Honeymoon Cruises are available and will provide satisfaction for the most fastidious couple. Breakfast in bed, champagne and chocolates as well as matching his and her robes that you can take home with you are included in the price of your Cruise Package. If you care to notify the Cruise ship ahead of time that you’re on your honeymoon you will generally receive a few free gifts and a special invitation to dine at the Captainâ€™s table one evening.

Family cruises are quite attractive as parents can enjoy lots of free time because the Cruise ship’s staff takes care of the children’s entertainment needs from the moment they step on board the ship. There are: Kid-rated movies, live kid friendly theaters, pizza parlors, organized games, sporting activities and free baby sitting.

Cruise Packages, with families in mind, have activities organized that cater for all age groups, these activities range from games for the younger ones to karaoke and coffee lounges for teenagers. You are guaranteed to find something that will interest every age group.

There are any number of Cruise Package options available, so why don’t you consider this unique and exciting type of adventure for your next vacation.

While airfares to most parts of Asia are expensive and will take a hefty slice out of your travel budget, don’t be deterred as most Asian Destinations are Exotic And Affordable.

Touring South East Asia, for the budget conscious tourist, is highly recommended as living expenses are very low. Where ever you choose to visit, you will find that there is an abundance of hotels, restaurants and public transport options, that are extremely Affordable.

Among the many Asian Destinations, that are Exotic And Affordable, I chose to visit Tioman Island. This Exotic island, is situated off the south eastern end of mainland Malaysia, and is reached by a modern ferry service.

The ferry trip from the mainland to the Island can take up to two and a half hours, depending on which ferry service you select, the “Speed Ferry” only takes a little over an hour.

Personally, I chose the regular ferry, the journey is delightful. Gliding effortlessly through the calm, crystal clear waters of the South China Sea and getting a first hand glimpse of the spectacular scenery that was captured by the film production of “South Pacific”.

This volcanic island has steep mountains covered with lush green vegetation that is teeming with orchids and other tropical flowers. Majestic waterfalls cascade over these tropical ridges and streams flow down through secluded glens to the clear azure waters of the sea. The island is adorned with beautiful, palm fringed, white sandy beaches, that are edged with lush, tropical jungle that begs to be explored.

There are many activities available on the island, including: bush walking, mountain climbing, snorkeling in crystal clear waters and diving in a beautiful underwater world of clear blue water containing iridescent coral reefs. Then again, you can just laze on the beach and soak up the sun.

If you intend to tour South East Asia, what ever you do, don’t miss Tioman Island.